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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

How to Rock and Roll

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Old 08-04-04 | 09:55 AM
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How to Rock and Roll: A City Rider's Repair Manual by Sam Tracy

I did a quick search, but didn't find any reference to this book. I've had it maybe a bit more than a year now. I guess this would be better posted in the mechanics area, but it seems like most of us just post here. Furthermore, I assume most here would appreciate it more.

The book only has a very small mention of fixies. However, it is not a bad overall manual. I got it as a beginner, but now that I'm more knowledgeable, it works a lot better for me (when I got it I didn't know what a bottom bracket was). As any repair manual, it needs more pics. The book gives a lot of "punk rock" ways of repairing stuff. The most fun thing about the book is the not-so-random car-hatin' social commentary. It's good to keep it by the craper. Regardless, as I said, I was surprised to not find any reference in the forums and it is totally worth the $12. Anyone else familiar with the book? Did I miss something in my search - if so, sorry for the repeat.
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Old 08-04-04 | 10:49 AM
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Looks like a good read. Funny thing - went to the website, read what it had to say, saw the links for purchase, followed a link to Amazon...where it's listed for $177.27!!! I'll be following the $12 link.
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Old 08-04-04 | 10:55 AM
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It has been out of print for quite some time now thus making it pretty impossible to find. There used to be a website that you could order it directly from but if you use the email address provided you will get no reply. Bummer. I was on a quest to find this book about a year ago but had no luck. If anyone can find it I'd love to know how, it seems like a pretty fun read.
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Old 08-04-04 | 11:40 AM
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I didn't know it was out of print. That sucks!

Shhhhh - maybe I can copy mine and make it a pdf - Shhhhhhhhh
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Old 08-04-04 | 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by South Fulcrum
I didn't know it was out of print. That sucks!

Shhhhh - maybe I can copy mine and make it a pdf - Shhhhhhhhh
If you give me a PDF I can probably give people copies... not too many people, and nothing besides tape binding...

If you gave me a book, I could give you a PDF too. If it's a paperback or hardbound it might not look too good when you get it back though...
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Old 08-04-04 | 02:35 PM
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HereNT,

I'm pretty sure Sam Tracy, the dude who wrote it, is/was in Minneapolis.
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Old 08-04-04 | 02:57 PM
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Heres the offical site (you might already know this) https://www.howtorockandroll.org/index.php3
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Old 08-05-04 | 01:55 AM
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Originally Posted by South Fulcrum
HereNT,

I'm pretty sure Sam Tracy, the dude who wrote it, is/was in Minneapolis.
Weird, because most of the bookstores are in San Fran...

I won't print up any copies since it's still in print. If it was something you couldn't find anymore, then it would be a different story. Support the author and buy it off of his site...
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Old 08-05-04 | 04:38 AM
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Originally Posted by South Fulcrum
HereNT,

I'm pretty sure Sam Tracy, the dude who wrote it, is/was in Minneapolis.
Yeah - I read a couple of the stories on there and he had to have been here. Knows the streets and shops a little too well to be guessing...
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Old 08-05-04 | 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by King Flatulence
it's a good book. As a novice I found it a bit too advanced but still a valuable reference tool. The more you learn the more the book helps. I ordered my copy last winter from the publisher (Black Kettle Graphics). If you live in the Twin Cities the Arise book collective on Lyndale usually has copies of it. The writer for sure lived here for several years (he still might for all I know). He put out a pretty good zine called the Multiplier for a few years too (maybe he's still putting it out, I haven't seen a new issuse for years tho). I stopped in at the Hub last weekend and they still had issues of it for sale in their zine section if any locals are inclined to check them out.
I just might have to do that. One of his stories on his site made me think he worked at One on One - all about terrifying a yuppie in a basement under the bike shop. It was near to the river... Wish he had more on his site, definatly going to have to pick up the book...
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Old 08-05-04 | 08:35 AM
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Bikes: Rock Lobster track, Colnago Dream, Ti Paramount, Litespeed Vortex compact, Santa Cruz Blur, Bianchi cyclocross...always wanting more...

I just ordered from Last Gasp for $12 and since the site let me order I'm assuming it is in stock & available.
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Old 04-01-05 | 05:36 PM
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You can find Sam Tracy's new book through Speck Press (www.speckpress.com). It is coming out this summer and if you e-mail the publisher, they will let you know when you will be able to order it.
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Old 04-01-05 | 05:41 PM
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I believe he's living in San Francisco now and working at Freewheel. I've seen him at both the Hayes and Valencia locations. I like that book too.
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Old 04-01-05 | 06:57 PM
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you can pick it up at the freewheel on hayes and sam will even sign it for you.
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